Save the Panther Day and a Panther Birthday at The Palm Beach Zoo, West Palm Beach

Photo Courtesy Palm Beach Zoo

Join The Palm Beach Zoo as they celebrate Save the Panther Day and the birthday of their 16 year old Florida Panther named Colin Patrick

Panther Colin Patrick was born at The Palm Beach Zoo 16 years ago on St Patrick’s Day.  The Zoo will be celebrating on Saturday March 19^th.  The Zoo is open 11:00 am to 3:00 with special activities for Colin beginning at noon.  Kids can make special crafts while they watch Colin tear into his birthday cake.  The birthday cake is constructed of painted cardboard boxes and stuffed with Colin’s favorite food, fish.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service there are only about 100 Endangered Florida Panthers left in the wild and the numbers of the big cats have risen only slightly in the last ten years.   Former Governor Crist officially announced last year that the third Saturday of March as Save the Panther Day.  The hope is that day will help provide educational opportunities to further understanding of the endangered animal that is Florida’s State animal.

“We are excited that Colin’s birthday coincided this year on Save the Panther Day” said Claudia Harden, Marketing Manager for the Palm Beach Zoo.  Ms. Harden went on to explain “The Palm Beach Zoo created this event seven years ago in an effort to give all Floridians the opportunity to not only reflect on the plight of the Florida panther but to celebrate this rare component of Florida's diverse natural resources.  The protection of the Florida panther today will lead to a better appreciation and understanding of these amazing creatures for generations.”